Fingal unlocking land, delivering homes, and building communities

Housing remains one of Ireland’s most significant challenges as demand for homes continues to grow. In Dublin, Fingal County Council is taking major steps to increase housing supply, support sustainable development, and create communities backed by modern infrastructure.

Following the Government’s request for local authorities to review development plans to accommodate revised housing targets, Fingal County Council brought forward a variation to the Fingal Development Plan 2023-2029. This will facilitate approximately 5,000 additional homes, increasing the county’s future housing capacity from 35,000 to 40,000 homes.

Underpinned by more than 1,000 hectares of zoned residential land, the variation will help meet future housing demand in sustainable locations supported by infrastructure and public transport. The additional capacity will be provided across the county, including at Dunsink, Barnhill, Clonsilla, Balrothery, Skerries, Lusk, Malahide, Kinsealy, and Clongriffin.

Mayor of Fingal, Councillor Tony Murphy, says the increased housing capacity demonstrates the council’s commitment to planning for future growth and ensuring that communities can continue to develop in a sustainable way: “Fingal is a county that continues to attract people to live, work and invest, and it is important that we plan ahead to accommodate that growth.

“The additional housing capacity provided through the variation strengthens our ability to deliver new homes, while ensuring that development is supported by the infrastructure, amenities, and services needed to create strong and successful communities.

“This approach will help us meet future demand while continuing to enhance the county as a place where people can build their lives and communities can prosper.”

A key element of the variation is the inclusion of Dunsink City Quarter, one of the most significant strategic development opportunities in the Dublin region. The area has the potential to deliver approximately 18,500 homes over time, with an initial 2,500 homes included as part of the recent variation.

Director of Planning and Development at Fingal County Council, Róisín Burke, says the variation demonstrates how the planning system can respond proactively to future housing requirements while ensuring growth is carefully managed.

“This variation to the Fingal Development Plan provides the framework needed to accommodate revised housing targets in a coordinated and sustainable way. By identifying additional capacity in key locations across the county, the variation strengthens our ability to plan for growth while ensuring development is aligned with infrastructure, transport provision, and the creation of complete communities. It reflects a plan-led approach that balances the need for new housing with the long-term environmental, social, and economic objectives of the county.”

Dunsink: A new city quarter for Dublin

At the heart of Fingal’s long-term housing ambitions is Dunsink City Quarter, a landmark development proposed on a 435-hectare site between Castleknock, Blanchardstown, and Dublin city centre. The area represents the largest remaining greenfield landbank within the M50 and provides a unique opportunity to create a sustainable new community in Dublin.

The vision for Dunsink extends beyond housing, combining new homes with schools, parks, community facilities, employment opportunities, and cultural amenities while protecting heritage assets including Dunsink Observatory, the Royal Canal, and the Tolka Valley.

The vision for Dunsink City Quarter includes new homes supported by schools and enhanced transport connections, helping to create a well-served community for future generations.

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, says the project has the potential to transform how housing and community development are delivered in the Dublin region: “Dunsink City Quarter represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver much-needed homes at scale while creating a vibrant, inclusive community for people to live, work, and thrive.

“As one of the most significant residential developments ever proposed in the Dublin region, Dunsink will play a vital role in helping Fingal meet future housing needs while ensuring that homes are supported by the transport links, community facilities, schools, parks and services that people need. Our ambition is to create a sustainable, well-connected place that enhances quality of life and provides a strong foundation for future growth.”

The overall vision of the draft plan is to create a well-connected, climate-resilient community, delivering up to 18,500 homes over three phases, alongside schools, community facilities, employment space, active travel infrastructure, and the transformation of the former landfill area into a major regional park.

The Government has acknowledged Dunsink’s strategic importance with the recent allocation of some €20 million funding from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund to support the infrastructure improvements needed to develop the lands.

Director of Housing at Fingal County Council, Paul Carroll, says the proposals for Dunsink provide the foundation for a new community where housing, services, and infrastructure evolve together: “As one of the fastest growing counties in the country, Fingal County Council has consistently demonstrated our ability to successfully deliver infrastructure and housing at scale.

“As we continue to face significant housing demand across the Dublin region, we will build on that experience to realise our vision for Dunsink to include much-needed homes alongside the schools, community facilities, parks, services, and transport connections that are essential to creating a sustainable community. We will deliver a range of homes, including social, affordable, cost rental, as well as private housing, ensuring people at all stages of life can find a place to call home.”

With increased housing capacity now in place and plans progressing for Dunsink City Quarter, Fingal County Council is delivering on its ambition to provide more homes, stronger communities, and the infrastructure needed to support them. These initiatives will play a significant role in meeting housing demand and enhancing quality of life across the county for years to come.

Fingal County Council
W: www.fingal.ie/housing-services